Safe and Sound
Safe and Sound is a music and arts for mental health and wellbeing project. We work in collaboration with NHS healthcare professionals and the private healthcare sector. We deliver carefully facilitated sessions in specialist acute care mental health hospital wards, supported accommodation and community based mental health support programmes. We also work with people who are living in temporary accommodation that have substance misuse challenges.
Our programmes utilise creative activities to support the wellbeing of individuals experiencing mental health challenges. Activities are co- designed with participants and respond to their interests and needs. People taking part and the medical professionals who work with us say that creative activities reduce isolation, anxiety and depression giving people the chance to explore working together in groups increasing confidence and general wellbeing
‘Participating in music group helps to minimise the trauma and disruption often associated with hospitalisation and can have a positive impact improving motivation and social inclusion.'
NHS Occupational therapist
‘Attending the group helps me to share a connection with other members'
Participant
As well as activities for wellbeing we provide opportunities for people to create ambitious, memorable and meaningful artwork and music. Popular creative activities have included original music composition and recording, mural painting, and film making.
We are committed to evaluating our work in this field and work closely with participants and partners in the NHS / Private sector to review projects and find areas where we can improve the service
Project focus: Inside / Outside
During the lockdown period of the Covid 19 pandemic we worked remotely with a group of adults with mental health challenges and NHS partners to create a film and soundtrack responding to the title ‘Inside/Outside’ Exploring aspects of individual and shared experiences of social distancing. We collaborated with a film maker and a soundtrack composer , met weekly online and each contributed ideas film clips and audio recordings. We worked together in online meetings and completed the soundtrack/ film edits within these online sessions
‘It was transformative, thought provoking and very inspirational.’
Associate artist / soundtrack composer
‘I realised it meant I could contribute images of nature, which was appealing to me.’
Participant
Our facilitators have many years of experience supporting people in settings such as these. Prior to delivering programmes for Lifesize they have also worked in these settings for other established arts for wellbeing organisations in the South East of England.
‘I felt privileged to be part of a group where clients were able to develop their own themes from conversations that centred on positive memories from their pasts and supporting one another through hard times’
NHS Occupational therapist
’It's been good to think about what I want in my future and make it into a painting'
Participant
’I felt really relaxed when I was painting and spending time with other people’
Participant
Composed by residents at Amberstone, a mental health rehabilitation hospital in East Sussex, UK. This track was the product of a 10 week recording project facilitated by Lifesize CIC and attended by patients at the hospital. Instruments: Flutes, Tongue drum, Drum machine patch, Casio keyboard, Acoustic guitar, Singing bowl, Finger cymbals, Thunder maker, Percussion
We work with in partnership with the NHS to deliver co-produced programmes for young people includes supporting young people with lived experience of mental health challenges to become course peer mentors and learn new workplace skills.
'The Lifesize Music group offers individuals a creative and accessible way of expressing their feelings and processing their experiences.’
NHS Occupational therapist
'Lifesize music sessions continue to be a huge resource to our clients' path to recovery’
NHS Occupational Therapist